Colombian Style Beans with Pork Belly or Frijoles con Chicharrón are a staple food in the famous Bandeja Paisa and a traditional meal in Colombian homes.
Frijoles con Chicharron o Garra (Bean Stew with Pork Belly)
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried roman or pinto beans soaked overnight
- 13 cups water plus more as desired
- 1 ½ pounds pork belly cut into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 scallions finely chopped
- 1 medium tomato finely chopped
- 1 green plantain peeled and cut into small chunks
- 1 large carrot finely chopped
- salt and pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon color achiote or sazon goya with azafran
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Then add the onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add the tomatoes, garlic, scallions and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add the pork belly, stir and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the beans, carrots, cumin, color and water. Bring to a boil. Then cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium- low and cook for about 1 hour.
- Add the plantains and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the beans are cooked. (Add additional water, as necessary.)Add salt and pepper, stir and serve.
Nutrition
I've been meaning to tell you about my love for anything involving beans. Actually maybe I have told you that before 😉 Anyway, growing up, my mother prepared Frijoles con Chicharron (Bean Stew with Pork Belly) once a week, which made my siblings and I very happy. Happy because it was food that involved beans and happy because it was deliciously rich and comforting and always cooked to perfection. She served them with white rice and avocado on the side. Simple and wonderful in every way. This dish is also popular in the Andean zone of Colombia.
Sometimes I like to serve this stew as a casual weekday meal, just as we used to eat it at home when I was a girl. And at other times, I prefer to serve it as part of the Bandeja Paisa.
Buen Provecho!
Nettie
How do you cook the pork belly so it comes out crispy like Colombian chicharron ? Same with pernil. I'm able to cook a delicious pernil but always fail to have a crispy skin. Thank you!
Adriana
Hola Erika
I'm from Colombia also and I have to say I could never make the frijoles con garra before I found your website ... My son absolutely loved them ... He is a fan of beans and I told him yesterday I will try again to make them with your recipe ... My son is 10 years old and after he ate them he was so excited because I showed him your website and he want me to make all your recipes ... Your recipe is awesome the beans tasted so good ... Thank you for sharing Erika and I'm looking forward to try another recipes .
Adriana
Sonia
I am so excited to try this!
Johanna
My fiancee just had this at a restaurant in Queens, NY and it reminded him of his Colombia...Thanks for the recipe I will try to recreate it.
Jorge
Erica, i am from Colombia live in Alaska i try the chicharron c=with beans last monday and was juist out of this world, thanks for your recipies, living so far from home your recipies help me feel like i am there.
Thanks again, keep the good work
Jorge
Anonymous
This dish was fantastic. I made it on friday for my family and we loved it.
OysterCulture
Bean stew with pork belly sounds like pure comfort food if you ask me. Another recipe that is adding to my ever growing list from you
MARIA
WHAT'S PORK BELLY? WHAT OTHER NAME THIS MEAT HAS IN THE SUPERMARKET? IN MEXICO WE USE BACON OR REAL CHICARRONES, PORK SKIN.
THAT LOOKS YUMMY!!!
Erica
Maria- Pork belly is pork skin with meat( Non smoke bacon "Tocino"). I hope this helps.
Chef E
Nice to see someone out there likes pinto beans (as I grew up on them, so my favs)!
I just ate something like this last night, but with potatoes and pintos, and a Mexican brisket I make! I make mine soupy too, love it! Yours makes me wish I had another serving, so I will have to try a pork version!
tasteofbeirut
Erica
This is a lovely and comforting meal! It is the first time I see plantains not fried, just added to a stew; good to know.
Faith
What a healthy, delicioius stew! I love the plantian and carrots in it for a little sweetness!